Diversity of Islamic ruling in the Practice of Islamic Finance Essay

Diversity of Islamic ruling in the Practice of Islamic Finance Industry - Essay Example Comparative Analysis on the Sources of Islamic Sharia The Islamic law governs the religious sector, the social aspects, and also the financial as well as economic aspects of the Muslim society. The Sharia is wide and was made on the basis of the life of Prophet Mohammed by the Muslim scholars. The Islamic law influences the legal code in the Muslim communities. This is a set of laws and also regulations that are put to rule the Islamic countries. The sharia law applies in the areas like custody, the personal status including marriages and divorces, inheritances, and the economy of the Islamic society (Letha 2011). The word sharia further means ‘path’ in the Islamic community. It means the set guidelines that rule all the areas of a Muslim individual. This includes the daily routine of an individual, the religious sector, and also the financial aspects of the Muslim society. The laws are from the life experiences and lessons, teachings, and practices of the prophet Mohammed. The past and the current Muslim community apply th ese precedents and the analogy from the book to address issues that affect the Islamic society (Johnson & Vriens 2011). The law developed from the prophet who acted as a role model for the Muslim community. The Muslim scholars developed also the ‘hadith.’ This sharia law is currently used by the population in the north and west parts of Africa and also on the eastern parts of china (Johnson & Vriens 2011).... The sharia law applies in the areas like custody, the personal status including marriages and divorces, inheritances, and the economy of the Islamic society (Letha 2011). The word sharia further means ‘path’ in the Islamic community. It means the set guidelines that rule all the areas of a Muslim individual. This includes the daily routine of an individual, the religious sector, and also the financial aspects of the Muslim society. The laws are from the life experiences and lessons, teachings, and practices of the prophet Mohammed. The past and the current Muslim community apply these precedents and the analogy from the book to address issues that affect the Islamic society (Johnson & Vriens 2011). The law developed from the prophet who acted as a role model for the Muslim community. The Muslim scholars developed also the ‘hadith.’ This sharia law is currently used by the population in the north and west parts of Africa and also on the eastern parts of china (Johnson & Vriens 2011). The Quran contains a compilation of the life and the practices of prophet Mohammed. Islamic law is also referred to as the Sharia in the Arabic and in the Muslim community. It is regarded as a deep and also a rich form of intellectual tradition. The Islamic law is replete with well-developing schools of thought. The tradition encompasses scholarly tomes and detail analysis with principles, texts, and other proofs. The Islamic jurisprudence in Arabic is fiqh, from understanding. It signifies the efforts of legal specialists to interpret the Sharia and apply it to particular human circumstances. A train expiry in jurisprudence is referred to as a faqih and is often when addressing the faqih it goes with the honorific

To investigate the temperature change in a displacement reaction between Copper Sulphate Solution and Zinc Powder :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

To investigate the temperature change in a displacement reaction between Copper Sulphate Solution and Zinc Powder Preliminary Experiment: Correlating Magnesium Powder and Copper Sulphate Solution ========================================================= I will mix 4cm of Magnesium ribbon and 50cm ³ of Copper Sulphate Solution into a polystyrene cup until I find a reaction. =============================================================== Prediction ========== The magnesium will displace the copper and the temperature will rise. Magnesium + Copper Sulphate †  Copper + Magnesium ------------------------------------------------ Mg + CuSO4 †  Cu + MgSO4 Hypothesis ========== The Magnesium will displace the Copper and rise in temperature because it is more reactive and it is an exothermic reaction. Results ======= Start Temperature 22 °C End Temperature 28 °C Rise In Temperature 6 °C This preliminary experiment was very useful because it is clear that there was a very small rise in temperature. This can be solved by using the powdered form of metal, that can be used to increase the surface area. Main Experiment: ================ Correlating Zinc and Copper Sulphate Solution ============================================= Prediction ========== I predict that the zinc will displace the copper to become zinc sulphate. --------------------------------------------------------------- Zinc + Copper Sulphate Zinc Sulphate + Copper I predict that the copper sulphate will only partially be heated during the reaction depending on the mass of zinc added to the solution of 50ml3. I predict that this reaction of the zinc and copper sulphate will be exothermic, therefore it will produce it’s own heat. I predict that the zinc powder will release more heat than zinc ribbon. I predict that the more zinc added to this reaction, the more the temperature would become up to a certain point. I predict that the temperature will increase when adding more zinc until a certain mass of zinc is reached. If more zinc is added when the ‘peak’ has been reached, then the temperature will decrease. Hypothesis ========== The copper will be displaced because zinc is higher in the reactivity series than copper therefore zinc is more reactive. The copper sulphate solution will only partially be heated during the reaction because there is not enough zinc to react with all of the copper depending on the mass of zinc. This reaction will be exothermic because all the heat will be given off in this reaction. The zinc powder will release more heat than zinc ribbon due to the powder having a larger surface area. The peak temperature is when there is about enough zinc to react with the copper sulphate. Any less zinc and it would not react as much producing less heat. Any more zinc would leave excess amounts, which would be harder to heat up and will reduce temperatures.

Food Allergies

Food allergy is a reaction from the response of the immune system. It is a reaction to fight the harmful ingredient in the food. Food allergies vary between infants, children, and adults. The sign and symptoms for food allergies can show reactions that are minor to severe. Treatment for food allergies depend on the signs and symptoms. In infants and young children, they have reactions to milk or soy milk if they are allergic to it. Allergies to milk or soy formula (a milk substitute made from soybeans) sometimes occur in infants and young children. These early allergies sometimes do not involve the usual hives or asthma but rather can cause symptoms resembling infantile colic, and perhaps blood in the stool, or poor growth† (Stoppler). The reaction of food allergy in infants is monitored to see if there are any changes in the infants’ diet. The symptoms for children and adults are somewhat similar but with a different pattern.According to Stoppler: In adults, the most co mmon foods that cause allergic reactions are shellfish, such as shrimp, crayfish, lobster, and crab; nuts from trees, such as walnuts; fish; eggs; and peanuts, a legume that is one of the chief foods that cause serious anaphylactic reactions. In children, the most common foods that cause allergic reactions are eggs, milk, peanuts, and fruits, particularly tomatoes and strawberries. Children sometimes outgrow their allergies, but adults usually do not lose theirs. Food allergies happen when the body takes in food with an ingredient that the body cannot handle. It occurs when the body mistakes an ingredient in food – usually a protein – as harmful and creates a defense system (antibodies) to fight it. Food allergy symptoms develop when the antibodies are battling the â€Å"invading† food† (WebMD, Feb 2009). Some people form allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs, soy products, wheat and other products. Food allergies can be mistake for food intolerance. Food intolerance is a response by the digestive system. â€Å"It occurs when something in a food irritates a person’s digestive system or when a person is unable to properly digest or breakdown, the food.Intolerance to lactose, which is found in milk and other dairy products, is the most common food intolerance† (WebMD, Feb 2009). Food intolerance somewhat resembles to food allergies. â€Å"Food intolerance, however, is far more prevalent, occurs in a variety of diseases, and is triggered by several different mechanisms that are distinct from the immunological reaction responsible for food allergy† (Stoppler). Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction for food allergies. â€Å"Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction to a chemical that has become an allergen† (MedlinePlus).The signs and symptoms for food allergies vary from minor to severe reactions. It also depends on how much food was consumed for it to trigger the reacti on and time. â€Å"All of the symptoms of food allergy occur within few minutes to an hour of eating† (Stoppler). Some symptoms are rashes, hives, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, itchy skin, shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of the airways to the lungs, and anaphylaxis. The allergic reaction occurs in various ways. â€Å"A food allergy can initially be experienced as an itching in the mouth and difficulty swallowing and breathing.Then, during digestion of the food in the stomach and intestines, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain can start. Incidentally, the gastrointestinal symptoms of food allergy are those that are most often confused with the symptoms of different types of food intolerance† (Stoppler). The symptoms for food intolerance are nausea, stomach pain, gas, cramps, or bloating, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, headaches, irritability, and/or nervousness. One of the severe reactions is anaphylaxis. It is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction. Anaphylactic reactions are severe even when they start off with mild symptoms, such as a tingling in the mouth and throat or discomfort in the abdomen. They can be fatal if not treated quickly† (Stoppler). The symptoms occur from within seconds or minutes. The symptoms are abdominal pain or cramping, abnormal (high-pitched) breathing sounds, anxiety, confusion, cough, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, fainting, light-headedness, dizziness, hives, itchiness, nasal congestion, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, skin redness, slurred speech, and wheezing.The signs for anaphylaxis are abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), hives, low blood pressure, mental confusion, rapid pulse, skin that is blue from lack of oxygen or pale from shock, swelling (angioedema) in the throat that may be severe enough to block the airway, swelling of the eyes and/or eyes, weakness, and wheezing. Treatment for food allergie s are based on the signs and symptoms if the reaction is mild or severe. One needs to start with avoiding the food that triggers the allergen.If the food is avoided, the allergic reaction is avoided. â€Å"Avoiding the offending allergen in the diet is the primary treatment of food allergy. Once a food to which the patient is sensitive has been identified, the food must be removed from the diet† (Stoppler). For those who have mild allergies, nonprescription antihistamine could possibly control the symptoms. If nonprescription antihistamine doesn’t work then a prescribed antihistamine may need to be taken. For severe reactions, one could be treated in the emergency room or be treated by an epinephrine shot.According to WebMD, â€Å"Food Allergies-Treatment Overview†: If you have a severe allergic reaction, your initial treatment may be done in an emergency room or by emergency personnel. You will be given a shot of epinephrine to stop the further release of hista mine and to relax the muscles that help you breathe. You will then be prescribed an allergy kit that contains a syringe of epinephrine and antihistamine tablets. Epinephrine is administered through an auto-injector. It is also known as EpiPen. It is also a treatment to anaphylaxis.According to Stoppler: These individuals also always should carry a syringe of adrenaline (epinephrine [EpiPen]), obtained by prescription from their doctors, and be prepared to self-administer it if they think they are developing an allergic reaction. They then should immediately seek medical help by either calling the rescue squad or having themselves transported to an emergency room. Food allergies can be rated mild to severe in reaction. The reactions can be similar in children and adults but it depends on the time and what food was eaten and how much of it was eaten. Signs and symptoms vary from each person.Food allergies can be mistaken sometimes for food intolerance, food poisoning, and toxic reacti ons. The treatment as well depends on the severity of the reaction if it is a mild reaction to a severe reaction.Works Cited â€Å"Anaphylaxis. † MedlinePlus. 02 May 2010. Web. 22 Oct 2010. <http://www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000817. htm>. â€Å"Food Allergies-Treatment Overview. † WebMD. 09 Mar 2009. Web. 1 Nov 2010. <http://www. webmd. com/allergies/tc/food-allergies-treatment-overview>. â€Å"Is It a Food Allergy or Intolerance? † WebMD. 05 Feb 2009. Web. 22 Oct 2010.

The Strategic Management Process - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 1961 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Management Essay Type Narrative essay Did you like this example? Strategic management is a continuous process of formulating, implementing and controlling broad plans that facilitate an organization in achieving the set objectives. It can also refer as the art and science of formulating, implementing and evaluating cross-functional decisions that enable an organization to achieve its objective. (Bratton, n.d). Strategic management is an ongoing activity and requires an invariable modification among the three traditional poles of a strategic plan including: values of senior management, environment and the resources available. It can also be defined as the set of decisions and actions that determines the long-term performance of an organization. The strategic management process has five steps; mission and goals, environmental analysis, strategic formulation, strategy implementation and strategy evaluation. The strategic management model starts with top management evaluation of organizations current position with respect to its set current mission and goals. The Mission reveal what an organization wants to be and whom it wants to serve and how? Mission Statements are essential for effectively establishing objectives and formulating strategies. Goals are the desired ends sought through the actual operating procedures of the organization and typically describe short-term measurable outcome. Strategic management second step is the environmental analysis which consists of two parts internal assessment and external assessment. Strategic formulation is the third step in the strategic management model which involves making strategic choices and making strategies at three different levels corporate, business and functional. Strategy Implementation the fourth step which means involving employees and managers in order to execute the formulated strategies. It is referred as the most difficult stage of strategic management process. It requires personal discipline and commitment. The final stage in strategic managemen t process is strategy evaluation in which management analyzes the consequences of implemented strategies and controls it by adopting corrective measures. (Bratton, n.d) In diversified business organization, strategic management is applied on different levels of hierarchy based on their strategic needs. The hierarchy of strategy can be classified into three levels as: corporate, business and functional. Corporate-level strategy explains what business we are in? It provides the overall strategic direction in diverse areas of an organization that facilitates in smooth running of its different business units. Business-level strategy focuses on effectiveness and efficiency of a business unit. The basic purpose of this strategy is to take decisions that would make a business unit more competitive in the market place and therefore, it is primarily concern with the process of how do we compete?(Bratton, n.d). Porter (1985) (as cited in Bratton, n.d) had introduced a framework for busines s strategy which is based on three competitive strategies; cost leadership, differentiation and focus. These strategies are worldwide known as Michael Porters Generic strategies. Cost leadership strategy emphasize on producing standardized products at a very low per-unit cost for consumers who are price sensitive. Two alternative cost leadership strategies are classified as Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 can be defined as a low cost strategy that offers products or services to a wide range of customers at a lowest price available in the market. Type 2 can be described as a best value strategy that offers of products and services to a wide range of customer at the best price value on the market. It aims to offer customers a range of products and services at the lowest price available compared to rivals products with similar attributes. Differentiation is a strategy focused at producing products and services considered unique industry wide and intended for consumers who are relatively pric e insensitive. Focus strategy emphasize on producing products and services that fulfill the needs of a small group of consumers. The two alternative of Focus strategies are categorized as Type3 and Type 4. Type 4 is a low cost focus strategy that offers products or services to a small range (niche group) of customers at the lowest price available on the market. Type 5 is a best value focus strategy that offers products or services to a small range of customers at the best price value available on the market. (David, n.d). Miles and Snow (1984) (as cited in Bratton, n.d), identified four levels of business strategies that are called four modes of strategic orientation: defenders, prospectors, analysers and reactors. Defenders are companies with limited product line and management focus on improving the efficiency of their existing operations. Prospectors are companies having broad product lines that focus on product innovation, creativity and market opportunities. Analysers are compa nies that operate in at least two different product areas, one stable and one variable. Reactors are companies that lack a consistent strategy structure culture. Rather than defining a strategy that suit to specific environment, they respond to environmental threats and opportunities in ad hoc fashion. Functional level strategy emphasizes on continue improvement of functions within a business units including: research development, marketing, manufacturing, finance and HR. It has been highlighted with strong emphasize in the several strategic management literature that the synergy among different levels should be present. Therefore, when the strategies at different levels are fully integrated, organization would effectively able to achieve its sets targets. The term strategic human resource management is coined as a result of significant contribution made by management gurus in the field of HRM. Strategic human resource management has some presence in manpower planning literature . Ouchi (1981) and Peter Waterman (1982) (as cited in Bratton n.d) have identified one of the important sources of competitive advantage that an organization can achieve by managing its people effectively. This new direction in search of competitive advantage has open new dimensions for scholars and finally the research work emphasized heavily on the significance of strategic role of human resource management. Since then the prefix strategic has been attached to human resource management (Michael E. Poter, 1996) Competitive strategy is about being different it means consciously choosing a different set of activities to deliver a unique mix of value. Competitive advantage occurs when firm have resource heterogeneity and resources immobility. Firm resource heterogeneity this concept suggests that firms all have the different amount and kind of physical, human and organizational resources and they vary across firms. Firms resource immobility refers that competing firms are enable o btain resources from others. (Jay Barney, 1991) Sustainable Competitive advantage is a value creating strategy not simultaneously being implemented by any current or potential competitors as well as competitors are unable to duplicate the benefits of these strategies. According to Porter, 1985 (as cited in Ulrich, n.d) competitive advantage can be defined as firms ability to generate unique products or services which are valued by users of those products. In search of its sources, executives have come across three traditional means of gaining competitive advantage (economic, strategic technology capabilities). (Jay Barney 1991) Four attributes that gives potential to firm recourses to achieve sustained competitive advantage are: valuable, rareness, imitability and substitutability. Strategies are valuable when they facilitate an organization to envision of or implement strategies that improve efficiencies and effectiveness and recourses are rare when a value creating strategy no t simultaneously implements by large number of other firms, the resources must be imperfectly imitable and it is possible when any firm has one or a combination of three reasons (a) unique historical condition (b) causal ambiguity (c) social complexity, the resources cannot be substituted with another resources by competing firms. (Pankaj Ghemawat, 1986) Sustainable competitive advantage has three categories: size in target market, superior access to resources and restrictions on competitors options. Organizational survival in highly turbulent environment has become the major concern of organizations today. Since last decades, due to the extreme globalization and increased technological influences the business environment has gone through major changes and become the focus of attention. Such changes have emphasized executives to focus on means that help to create and achieve competitive advantage. (Ulrich, n.d). In order to remain competitive and perform effectively in rapidly ch anging environment, decision-makers need to seek out factors that provide organizations sustainable competitive advantage. (Hussain, n.d). According to Porter, 1985 (as cited in Ulrich, n.d) competitive advantage can be defined as firms ability to generate unique products or services which are valued by users of those products. In search of its sources, executives have come across three traditional means of gaining competitive advantage (economic, strategic technology capabilities) (Ulrich Lake 1991; Ulrich 1997). Reviews on traditional means of gaining competitive advantage highlighted that these traditional means may be necessary but not sufficient. Executives have realized that additional sustained competitive advantage lies in recognizing and creating organizational capabilities through better deployment of human resources. (Schuler MacMilan, 1984; Ulrich 1986; Ulrich, n.d). Organizational capability can be defined as firms ability to manage people to gain competitiv e advantage. (Ulrich and Lake, 1991). It focuses on employee commitment and competence. (Ulrich and Lake, 1991). Organizations human resources is prove to be the key differentiating factor in developing future competiveness when traditional sources of competitive advantage are easily imitated. (Hussain, n.d). It is something that is difficult to imitate and hence it creates uniqueness. (Ulrich and Lake, 1991). There are several models to measure organizational capability that include (cited in organizational capability- what does it mean, n.d): Hase and colleagues (2000), Dill and Delahaye (2003).But one the widely used model is EFQM. The model is based on nine criteria: five enablers (leadership, people, policy strategy, resources and processes) and four results (people result, customer result and society result). When organizational capability has become the source of competitive advantage and HR professionals are the driving force behind it, than there is a need to develop new a genda for both HR practices and HR professionals. (Ulrich, 1997). Ulrich emphasized that HR professional who contribute to CA must become strategic business partner and acquired new set of personal and professional competencies. (Ulrich, n.d). The concept of strategic business partnering was introduced by Dave Ulrich in his famous book Human Resource Champions in the mid 1990s. (CIPD, n.d). Human resource business partner is a new emerging role in organizations today. In this capacity HR professionals are the human resource specialists, involved in strategic planning of organization to improve business performance and develop organizational culture. (Dash et al, n.d) Lawler and Boardreu shared their views on HR as strategic business partner and highlighted that in this new role HR is a member of senior management team and is directly involved in the major business decisions of the organization, including the formation of strategy, the design of the organization and the implementa tion of the business model.( Lawler and Boardreu, n.d). It has been observed that, during the past decades HR was solely viewed as administrative support function, involved in processing employee paper work, benefits, maintaining personal files. (Dash et al, n.d). Ulrich (as cited in Lawler and Morhman, 2003) has also highlighted the fact that HR function has been viewed an administrative function led by individuals who was primarily responsible to control cost and look after the administrative affairs. As highlighted by Ulrich, HR is the key to success.( Ulrich, 1997). Several studies have highlighted that HR function has the essence to become a strategic partner and by doing so it would then be a more value-added function. Research by Becker and Huselid (1998) (as cited in Lawler and Morhman, 2003) also identified a relation between HR practices and the performance of an organization. Other studies also highlighted the need and emphasized the fact that due to the increased c ompetition for HR talent, HR must mould itself in strategic business partner role. (Lawler and Morhman, 2003). Ulrich discussed that HR needs to become a strategic business partner. (as cited in Lawler and Morhman, 2003) He has emphasized that the HR function should become strategically proactive, that it needs to go beyond administrative expertise and try to be an expert in three important roles that are strategic business partnership, change management, and employee advocacy. (Ulrich, 1997). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Strategic Management Process" essay for you Create order

A Day Of Celebration And Honor - 2684 Words

The setting was January 1937. Nazism was escalating and there were whispers of another ‘Great War’ on the horizon. The Dutch people were holding on to the hope that their neutrality would be honored as it was after the last ‘Great War’. Although, this was not to be the case, this day was a day of celebration and honor. The ten Booms were a well-respected family that lived in the Dutch city of Haarlem, as their fathers had before them. The family operated a small watch shop from the first floor of their home on Bartheljorisstraat Street. Their home, known locally as the Beje, had been in their family for generations. The family had gathered to celebrate the hundred year anniversary of opening the watch shop. This was a great day to†¦show more content†¦At the ten Booms residence it would never have crossed their minds as to whether they should open their doors to ones in need. Even before the war, the family had raised eleven foster children in a Christian home with morals, values and integrity (21). As it was to unfold, the ten Booms became increasingly involved in the underground movement in an attempt to save Jews from Hitler’s cruel eugenics movement. Pickwick assisted the ten Booms to find places of hiding from the Nazi death camps, food cards to sustain them, and aided in the set-up of alarms and security around the house. The ten Booms didn’t begrudge the Jews their religion, though different from their own. They embraced it and merely did the right thing. However, on February 28, 1944, the ten Boom family was betrayed and the Beje was raided. The six people in hiding were able to escape into the upstairs hiding space in time due to all of the practice drills, alarms and such to ensure their safety. However, the ten Boom family members were caught and taken in for interrogation by the Nazis. Corrie, Casper, Willem, Betsie, Nollie, and her husband Peter van Woerden were then imprisoned during this Gestapo raid on the Beje. The six family members were transferred from the Haarlem jail to the Scheveningen prison. From there, Corrie and Betsie are transported by train to the Vught Concentration Camp. On the train the two sisters areShow MoreRelatedThe Celebration Of A Girl1416 Words   |  6 PagesA quinceaà ±era is the celebration of a girls fifteenth birthday. It is a huge celebration in the spanish culture. It is first step into womanhood, for a girl. It gives thanks to God thanks for his blessings, and to present a young lady to t he community. In the United States, this occasional celebration would be called a â€Å"sweet sixteen†, even though it’s not a fifteenth birthday. The way this was celebrated in mexico is a little different than when hispanics celebrate it in the United States. 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Phagwah Day is a very popular Hindu holiday, celebrated in Suriname. This holiday is celebrated on the last full moon of the lunar month, known as Phalguna. Phalguna is the twelfth month on the Hindu calendar, the same calendar that governs the Hindu religious life. Phagwah Day is celebrated all over the country atRead More Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay1063 Words   |  5 Pagesanonymous author some time during the fourteenth century, reflects many of the religious, political and social aspects illustrated in other literary works of the time. The author, a contemporary of Chaucer, lived during a time when gallantry, loyalty and honor defined a true man. During this period, Christianity was prevalent, and inherent human weakness was commonly accepted. The author begins the poem with the mention of the siege and destruction of Troy, said to be a result of the traitorous acts ofRead MoreThe Day Of The World War I1370 Words   |  6 Pagesbe an honorary day, Armistice Day, for all military personnel who had died defending the United States of America. Armistice Day was the first national recognition and important step towards the care and honor of those who had served protecting the country. Years later in 1938, Congress passed the 11th of November as a legal holiday; in 1954, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to include an honoring to all military personnel and committees (â€Å"Office of Public Affairs†). Veterans Day was a highly respected

Chinua Achebe s Life Of Literature - 999 Words

Portfolio Essay: Chinua Achebe Chinua Achebe is a renowned Nigeria novelist lauded for his work in literature. Chinua Achebe has been credited with numerous works of literature ranging from novels to journals. His work cuts across borders, making huge success and accepted globally in the world of literature. Even critics had to accept Chinua Achebe is the greatest our time, such was Charles H Rowell a literary critic issued in Callaloo a reputable magazine. There was no surprise when Chinua Achebe won the 1972 Commonwealth prize, he obviously deserved it, following his contribution to the world of literature. He has also been awarded an indefinite number of doctorates in various educational institutions across the seven continents (Africa). First, Achebe was born in the Ogidi eastern part of Nigeria. He was born thirty years before Nigeria got her independence from the British government on November 16th, 1930. A day marked historically in African calendar. He was raised in the Chris tian faith, even though Christianity as a religion was somewhat new in the community. Achebe, as a kid was interested in the local religions of the community as those, seem appealing to him through his friends. He participated in some of the traditional religion activities such as festivals and parades. Achebe in high school was exposed to the writings of several authors, most English writers probably due to the colonization ofShow MoreRelatedChinua Achebe s Life Of Literature830 Words   |  4 Pages Chinua Achebe is a renowned Nigeria novelist lauded for his work in literature. Chinua Achebe has been credited with numerous works of literature ranging from novels to journals. His work cuts across borders, making huge success and accepted globally in the world of literature. Even critics had to accept Chinua Achebe is the greatest our time, such was Charles H Rowell a literary critic issued in Callaloo a reputable magazine. There was no surprise when Chinua Achebe won the 1972 Comm onwealth prizeRead MoreImperialism In The 19Th Century Resulted In European Countries1726 Words   |  7 Pagescontrolling the social and cultural lives of natives in African countries.When Chinua Achebe published Things fall apart in 1958, a novel criticizing the European aspects of imperialism, his aspiration was to teach readers that â€Å"their past-with all its imperfections-was not one long night of savagery from which the first Europeans acting on God’s behalf delivered them†(Chinua Achebe on the Role of the African Writer, 1964). Chinua Achebe helped change the western perception of African culture by using theRead MoreIgbo Culture : The Igbo People1643 Words   |  7 PagesUnpiled Chi Quote: The Igbo culture relies on a man trusting his gut.   As the proverb says, When a man says yes, his Chi says yes also (Achebe 19). My Ideas: The Igbo people refer their Chis their own personal god. A man should trust his own gut and mind in the Igbo society and they know that his Chi will agree with what he do. This is also saying that men should be responsible for their actions because ofthe fact that their Chi will always agree with them and cannot change their mind. Read MoreThings Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe1415 Words   |  6 Pagespivotal in the development of a young mind and the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe does just that. This book should be taught in schools because it shows the values and traditions of Achebe’s Igbo culture, persistently teaches life lessons throughout the book, and shows the darker reality of European colonialism in Africa. Chinua Achebe is known as one of the most influential and famous authors to ever write. Chinua Achebe originates from an Igbo background and he expresses that through his writingsRead MoreDead Men s Path By Chinua Achebe940 Words   |  4 PagesWRT-201 November 11, 2014 Mena Mahany Dr. Tomko Dead Men’s Path The real world is objectively studied; so, we must step down from the ivory tower of institutional education and experience empirical quandaries. The short story, Dead Men’s Path by Chinua Achebe is a lesson learned parable that accepts the secular sciences for its progressive teachings. The main character Michael Obi embraces an intellectual prophet persona that he arrogantly flaunts in order to sensationalize his new promotion as headmasterRead MoreBiography of Chinua Achebe2083 Words   |  9 PagesChinua Achebe: Africa most beloved author The Prominent Igbo writer, famous for his novels describing the effects of western customs and values on traditional African society. Achebe’s satire and his keen ear for spoken language have made him one of the most highly esteemed African writers in English. Chinua Achebe was born in eastern Nigeria on November 16, 1930 Isaiah and Janet Achebe (Bucker pars.1). Isaiah Okafor Achebe was a catechist for the Church Missionary Society and his wife to traveledRead MoreChinua Achebe : The Invention And Mastery Of Modern African Literature1695 Words   |  7 Pages In her essay Chinua Achebe: The Invention and Mastery of Modern African Literature Emeka Aniagolu labels Chinua Achebe as â€Å"the single most important literary figure in modern African literature† (1). Aniagolu goes on to praise Achebe as â€Å"perhaps the most well-known, most widely read, most translated, and most widely respected modern African writer, novelist and polemical essayist†, especially considering he as been crowned as the inventor of modern African literature (1). The praise he has receivedRead MoreA Civilization Falls Apart Essay1167 Words   |  5 PagesMost of what we know to be African Literature, talks about the changes from an un-dignified lion -chasing culture to that of a semi-dignified European society. The novel Things Fall Apart by Nigerian-born author Chinua Achebe, tells the story of a Umuofian villager named Okonkwo, and how Okonkwo has to come to grips with the changes that are happening in everyday Ibo life. The novel Things Fall Apart is not your typical tall African tale. The novel is a story, a story not just about one personRead MoreChinua Achebe : The Invention And Mastery Of Modern African Literature1595 Words   |  7 Pages2015 TITLE In her essay Chinua Achebe: The Invention and Mastery of Modern African Literature Emeka Aniagolu labels Chinua Achebe as â€Å"the single most important literary figure in modern African literature† (1). Aniagolu goes on to praise Achebe as â€Å"perhaps the most well-known, most widely read, most translated, and most widely respected modern African writer, novelist and polemical essayist†, especially considering he as been crowned as the inventor of modern African literature (1). The praise he hasRead MoreThe Book Things Fall Apart Is One Of Africa’S Most Significant1601 Words   |  7 PagesAfrica’s most significant works of literature. Because of its unique spin on European colonialism from an African tribesman’s perspective and its eloquent use of Igbo vocabulary, the volume continually draws in readers from various backgrounds and locations. Attention to detail and foreshadowing are common throughout the book; zeroing in on certain motifs an d themes relating to African culture. One motif examined throughout the novel is chi. Author Chinua Achebe expresses the conflict between whether

America Is In The Heart Free Essays

I. Authors Biography Carlos Bulosan is said to be one of the earliest and most influential of Asian American writers. 1 He was a Filipino born on November 2, 1911 in Pangasinan to a rural and peasant family in the village of Mangusmana located near the town of Binalonan. We will write a custom essay sample on America Is In The Heart or any similar topic only for you Order Now His family strived to make both ends meet to make a living and send their children to school like many other Filipinos at that time of economic turmoil; brought by the increasing wealth and power possessed by the elite. Carlos, committed to help support his family, went searching for a better life for himself, continued his education, and made the choice to travel to America with high hopes to reach his ambitions. II. Summary American is in the Heart is the autobiography of Carlos Bulosan, who begins his story by narrating his childhood life in his town Mangusmana. He lives alongside his father in a farm where they both work in. On the other hand, his mother lives in the city with one of his brothers and younger sister. Because of this living arrangement, Carlos has never met some of his older siblings. One of the sons Macario is said to be â€Å"the hope of the family†. They hope that when he graduates he will return home and find a teaching job to help support their family and pay their debts. He attends high school in another village, and because of this their family pawns their land one hectare at a time in order to compensate for his expenses. Unfortunately, things don’t go as the family hopes for and Macario loses the teaching job. Due to the harsh economic conditions at that time, children like Carlos were working and doing what they could to help support their families. Carlos, at five years of age eventually moved to Binalonan to work in the fields. His salary goes to his mother for paying the moneylender, and to Macario’s schooling. When he isn’t working the fields, he is with his mother, assisting her with her barter business that allowed him to travel to  neighboring villages with her. In these villages, Carlos observed the middle class and their way of life, and later on he grows a loathing towards them. Whilst in the Philippines, Amando, Macario, and Carlos were made to believe that America stood for equality and justice, and ultimately they all separately make their journey to America. Upon their arrival in America, they are faced with the brutal reality of the great exploitation that the Filipinos are subjected to by the Whites. Carlos is amazed by ruthlessness and inhuman treatment that the Whites have shown toward Filipinos, and is forced to move place to place due to one misfortunate event after another. Carlos struggles to sustain a job with a close to nothing salary and with unsanitary living conditions, but his job and stay is always immediately cut short when conflict stirs between Filipinos and Whites forcing him to flee to another town. To add to his pitiful state, many times he is beaten and assaulted because of the discrimination the Americans have toward the Filipinos. Ultimately Carlos and his companions develop a sense of activism, and fought for the Filipinos and their rights in Filipino labor and rights movements. Their effort to assemble the workers brought them right into the conflict involving agricultural interests. Their labor movement ultimately became associated with revolutionary units. In the succeeding events of his life, Carlos is diagnosed with tuberculosis, and was said to been confined in the hospital for a period of two years. Once he was released, he and his friends grew to be greatly involved in the movement for Filipino civil rights. They then assembled a group of Filipinos with the ambition of achieving American citizenship for Filipinos in America. Unfortunately their efforts were not enough and they loose the fight. When the time came that World War II erupted, Carlos and his fellow Filipinos were prohibited from enlisting in the army. Even to the point where the Philippines was being occupied and seized, they were still disallowed to enlist. Due to this, the Filipinos where forced to start a movement fighting for their desire to join the armed forces, which eventually resulted with the United States president giving a special proclamation that would allow Filipinos to do so. III. Analysis America Is In the Heart being an autobiography novel, it didn’t have that much symbolism. It was a straightforward novel and the author Bulosan, narrated the events of his life clearly and vividly. Throughout the story, you can’t help but feel sorry for him (Buloson) and all the tragedies and struggles he encountered. To rate this novel, I would say that I have nothing too criticizing to comment about it. The plot is very similar to other stories involving the struggles of Filipinos whilst under the power of oppressors. Overall, the novel was a good reminder and eye opener on the reality of discrimination showed toward Filipinos, which is still very much relevant today. Also, it reminds us of the strong fighting spirits that Filipinos possess. This novel is certainly a good piece of literature that is purely and truly Filipino. IV. Insights The life story of Carlos Bulosan in â€Å"America In The Heart† is something I can greatly empathize with. I like himself, went to America at a very young age of nine, with a hopeful heart that America was a land of opportunity. In school I was thought that America fought for equality and everyone was given the same opportunities. I thought, I could go see all the places that I saw in movies, and I generally thought my family and I would have a better life. My naà ¯ve nine-year-old heart was shattered after a few months, when I learned that America isn’t all that beautiful, as it seemed, especially for Filipino Migrants. Finding work was hard even with an undergraduate diploma. Filipinos were looked down on because of how â€Å"uncivilized† the Philippines was. And based on observation, some Americans really do tend to show a bias toward Filipinos. At that point, I then missed our comfortable home and lifestyle back in the Philippines. We had time to go out with the family and enjoy the good things in life; while in the States my parents rarely were home at the same time due to work, and the main agenda was paying the bills. Sometimes we Filipinos complain a whole lot about our country. We aspire for  the western life, and what it can give to us. I think a big reason why this is so, is because throughout history we have always been so oppressed by these western nations. We were made to believe that these nations will always be better, but if there’s one thing that I’ve learned it’s that: we Filipinos are hardworking, loyal, and God fearing people, and possessing these attributes bring us far and past the hardships given to us. How to cite America Is In The Heart, Papers America Is in the Heart Free Essays America Is In the Heart Summary The plot of America is in the Heart parallels its author’s personal experiences. The protagonist, who is also named Carols (though he goes by the nickname ‘Also’ when In the Philippines and tells others to call him ‘Carl’ while in the united States) Is a young boy working with his father on their farm in the Philippines at the book’s opening. After a period of working throughout the island of Luzon Carols immigrates to the united States, where he continues to work as a migrant laborer until he realizes he is capable of writing in English and pledges to bring his family members jack to life through the written word. We will write a custom essay sample on America Is in the Heart or any similar topic only for you Order Now He also often uses literature to connect with the united States Itself; Carols reads classic American authors like Whitman and Melville in an attempt to discover and understand a side of the united States far removed from the prejudice and pain of the American society he found himself in. On one occasion Carols and some acquaintances were attacked by a group of white men for no reason other than their race, only to be greatly aided by the white men and women working in a hospital. Walking down the marble stairway of the hospital, I began to wonder at the paradox of America. Joss ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s tragedy was brought about by railroad detectives, yet he had done no harm of any consequence to the company. On the highway, again, motorists had refused to take a dying man. And yet in this hospital, among white people– Americans like those who had denied us– we had found refuge and tolerance. Why was America so kind and yet so cruel? Was there no way to simplifying things in this continent so that suffering would be minimized? Was there no common denominator on which we could all meet? I was angry and confused, and wondered if I would ever understand this paradox. (Bulbous 147) The rod â€Å"paradox† perfectly summarizes Carols’ experiences in the United States. Like Carols searched for America through the works of great American authors, the reader can look through Bullion’s work and glimpse at an early 20th century America in conflict with itself. The 1 united States, which had Just entered the long years of the Great Depression when Carols arrives In Seattle, is revealed In the novel as consisting of two very different halves, and Carols is constantly vexed by the inconsistent nature of the United States. In America Carols experiences both great kindnesses and great realties, often within the same moment, and this strange combination often drives Carols to tears. He experiences no shortage of prejudice in the united States, and the results of these prejudices range from verbal slights to severe physical and sexual abuse. Yet despite the many hardships and prejudices Carols faces, he comes to think of America in a very positive light?the kindnesses he benefits from in the United States combine with a more intangible sense of hope in the potential of America. Within Bullion’s work the reader finds tropes that should sound familiar to anyone who has taken elementary school American history classes; there is assurance and a faint tint of pride in the possibilities of America; by the end of the novel Carols has faith that this is a nation where great things can and do happen, and he ends the novel by stating that nothing will ever take this faith from him again. By recognizing the two halves of this paradox and forgiving the united States for its comes to with his various inconsistent childhood and adult perceptions of America. His ability to not only make these understandings but allow them to evolve throughout his time in the United States makes Bulbous a credible and fascinating source of information on the America that he lived within and further complicates the already tangled and wide-ranging opinions of what the word â€Å"American† should mean at all. By allowing his audience to peek into his experiences through his protagonist and namesake, Carols Bulbous shows how America both defines and is defined by the masses who venture onto its shore in an attempt to find the lives they were meant to live. The Small Key Summary â€Å"The Small Key† is a beautiful account of the feeling of a man, whose first wife died, ND his second wife. As the story opens Lateran describes in a few lines the rural setting of the story. The man and his wife live far from any neighbors. Their house is surrounded by wild bamboo. Her husband is a very hard working prosperous farmer. They are having lunch and the man cannot linger as the fields need plowing. His wife is not feeling well so as he leaves he tells her he will ask Tia Maria, an aunt or a neighbor, to stop by. Once the husband is gone the wife begins to fold his coat. A small key falls to the floor and the woman, in her late twenties, looks almost old. She tries to throw herself into her work on the laundry but her eyes keep going too small trunk in the corner of the room. She knows in that trunk are the clothes of her husband’s late first wife. She tries to tell her self what does it matter if her husband keeps the clothes of his first wife, after all she is dead. She begins to wonder why her husband feels he has to carry to key to the chest with him in his coat when he leaves the house. When the husband arrives home happy that the plowing is completed, Tia Maria meets him at the gate and tells him his wife is sick. The Small Key† is a short story by Philippine author Pas Lateran. It is about a woman named Solaced who is married to a man named Pedro Bubby. They live on a farm. One morning Solaced finds herself knowing that the farm will produce plenty but that she still had some inner feeling of discontent. She planned to mend some of her husband’s shirts, which were in a locked trunk. Pedro took out from his pocket a string which held two keys, one large and shiny and one small and rusty. He gave Solaced the large key to his trunk and put the small key back in his Jacket pocket. Since it was hot that morning, he removed his coat before leaving to work in the field. When he was gone, Solaced began to fold the Jacket and the small key fell to the floor. It is obvious that Pedro values the small key while Solaced fears it. Solaced knows that the small key is a key to a different trunk. She tries to busy herself so that she will not think about what the smaller trunk contains, but she cannot stop thinking about it and reveals that the small trunk contains clothing that belonged to Padre’s first wife. She wonders why it is that he keeps her old clothing and why he seems to eave a special feeling about them. She obviously fears that Pedro still loves his first wife even though she has been dead for many years by now. She reveals that she hates the things in the small trunk and worries that they will destroy the relationship of the small trunk, Solaced opens it. At this point, Pedro returns home to find Solaced in bed supposedly with a fever. It turns out she does not. The next morning Pedro discovers a pile of ashes and half burnt clothing in the backyard. He realizes what Solaced has done and rushes to look in the trunk to confirm it. Solaced has indeed, earned his first wife’s clothing. Pedro is angry and bitter that this has happened and he expects that Soloed will explain things later. He thinks to himself that he will forgive her because he loves her but that even if she did it out of love for him, it will always remain a matter of some resentment toward her for doing it. The Summer Solstice Summary â€Å"Summer Solstice† is a short story that has received recognition both critical and praising. Written by Nick Joaquin, the story takes place in sass Philippines during the festival days of SST. John. There is a pro-woman feel to the story, which has rendered a lot of debate and attention considering the setting is in a time where women must be submissive. In this analysis, learn about the setting, the themes and symbolism that this short and interesting story incarnates. The Train, or otherwise known as the Tartaric, was a three day festival that celebrated a ritual of fertility. This was done only by women. Many men frowned upon the extravagant dances and plays surrounding the ritual. â€Å"Summer Solstice† is set during the three days of the SST. John’s festival. Lupine, a Filipino woman who feels closed to her womanhood, is aired to Paean, who is no doubt loyal to her. They have three small boys and live a somewhat wealthy life as they have a Cambridge driver named Entry and a maid and cook named Mad. Guide is a cousin of Paeans who comes back to the Philippines after studying in Europe. The story starts when the family is enjoying the days of the SST. John’s festival until Guide makes suggestive comments to Lupine, and even bending down to kiss her feet. This makes her leave abruptly and have a discussion with her husband the coming night. Lupine secretly found herself intrigued by the attention of Guide; she felt that he was correct in saying that women should be ravished and men should adore them. This causes her to participate in the last night of the festival, which is the Train ritual. Paean goes with her and tries to drag her back once the dancing begun, but she runs from him to the women. He tries to take her back but the women in the crowds beat him out, leaving him helpless. As the two return home, Paean says he must whip his wife because he loves her and feels that she needs to be put in her place. To this, she shouts and says she wants to be adored, not respected and orders him to kiss her feet. How to cite America Is in the Heart, Papers